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About this project

THE PROJECT

Be Home Soon: Letters from My Grandfather is an intimate personal documentary based on cards and letters my family
received from my grandfather during WWII. An Episcopal priest, my
grandfather volunteered to be a Chaplain with the 200th Coast Artillery
National Guard Unit in the Philippines. The unit left on a train from Ft.
Bliss, Texas on the last day of August 1941. He left behind, his wife and three
young sons (my father who was eight at the time, and his two brothers Alfred
and John ages 6 and one month old).

I
use my grandfather’s letters as the film's structure, retracing his steps from his
departure in Ft. Bliss, Texas to the Philippines. Combining my own documentary
footage, and archival footage from WWII with letters, found footage and animations; the film is also a chronicle of my own
journey of understanding family legacy, my pilgrimage — retracing his steps.

THE STORY

This
documentary is a story not just of my grandfather, but a story of the collective
memory of this generation of Americans at war - and the inherited grief of their families. Documenting one of the cornerstones of modern American (indeed World)
history through the experience of one man and his family. The process of making
this film was based on extensive research, including research trips to the
Bataan Memorial War Museum, the National Archives, family papers, and first person
narratives of those who were with my grandfather in one case from the day he
left to his burial and numerous locations in the Philippines

Historically
much attention has been paid to the events in Europe during World War II, and
also Pearl Harbor and subsequently the dropping of the atomic bombs. What is rarely
known is the state of New Mexico lost more men per capita than any state in the
Union. The men who went to the Philippines were left to fight the Japanese with
leftover WWI artillery and supplies. For better or for worse, the United States
government left them to fend for themselves while the government focused all of
its resources on the European theater. For the most part, the men in the
Philippines did not die in battle. Rather after the surrender (on April 6, 1948 — the largest army to surrender in U.S. History) they died on what has come to
be known as The Bataan Death March and in prison camps thereafter.

My
grandfather who was 40 years old at the time, survived the death march and died
a year later in prison camp of diseases associated with malnutrition. His
actions during this time lead the Southwest Diocese of the Episcopal Church to
Canonize him noting the day of his death — December 11th as his day on the
church calendar.

The
film explores my grandfather's actions, traces his steps and explores his sacrifices and the familial sediment as a result. While my grandfather is the heart of the story he is not the entire story. The
story is about a family, a culture, a war, and what remains in the end. It is about war, faith and sacrifice. However, sacrifice comes at a cost. In the end, who does a saint betray?

FUNDING

This project is fiscally sponsored by the non-profit organization World Trust. This means that your contributions to Be Home Soon will be tax deductible to the full extent of the law. Up to now this film has been funded by significant grant from the Pacific Pioneer Fund, a home equity line of credit. my other production work, giving up $2.75 cent lattes and other austerities and the generous donation of time, creative skill and talent of many film professionals and artists.

This is the last haul. Two hundred and fifty people at $100 a person brings us home. Or a few less at a hundred mixed in with a couple larger. It will all work out in the end with your support and willingness to spread the word.

In advance I Thank You!

FAQ

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Rewards

Pledge $10 or more

My eternal gratitude, a thank you on the film's website, and an old-fashioned handwritten thank you letter from me.

Estimated delivery:Nov 2012

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Pledge $35 or more

52 backers

Pledge $35 or more
A thank you on the film's website AND in the film credits, a free download of the film and an old-fashioned handwritten thank you letter from me .

Estimated delivery:Nov 2012

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Pledge $75 or more

43 backers

All of the above AND a DVD of the finished film.

Estimated delivery:Nov 2012

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Pledge $150 or more

26 backers
Limited (124 left of 150)

All of the above AND limited edition book of images and letters from the film.

Estimated delivery:Nov 2012

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Pledge $180 or more

6 backers
All gone!

Choose one from 6 prints from Famed Taos Photographer Geraint Smith. Most are 13x9 medium prints. Only 6 awards at this level.

Estimated delivery:Nov 2012

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Pledge $500 or more

3 backers

An Associate Producer’s credit in the film, a limited edition book of images and letters from the film, my eternal gratitude, a thank you on the film's website, and an old-fashioned handwritten thank you letter from me.

Estimated delivery:Nov 2012

You selected

Pledge $1,000 or more

6 backers
Limited (4 left of 10)

A Producer’s credit in the film, a signed DVD of the finished film, a limited edition book of images and letters from the film , a “War is Hell” bumper sticker and filmmaker Melissa Howden will come to your theater, school, movie club or house to screen and discuss the film.

Estimated delivery:Nov 2012

You selected

Pledge $5,000 or more

0 backers

All of the above, a Co - Executive Producer’s Credit in the film and a “War is Hell” Coffee Cup and Bumper sticker AND blessings upon you for life.

Estimated delivery:Nov 2012

Funding period

Jul 1, 2012 - Aug 11, 2012
(40 days)

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